Does Renting a C2 Property Mean It’s Automatically Suitable for Ofsted?

Short answer: No.
A property with C2 planning permission is not automatically suitable for Ofsted registration as a children’s home — and assuming it is can be an expensive mistake.

This misunderstanding is common among new providers, particularly those renting properties with high monthly leases. While C2 status is an important starting point, it does not assess the safety, environment, or suitability of the home from an Ofsted regulatory perspective.

Understanding the difference can protect you from costly commitments and delays.

What C2 Planning Permission Actually Means

C2 is granted by the local planning authority.
It confirms that the use of the building as a children’s home is permitted under planning rules.

That’s all it means.

Planning decisions focus on:

• Neighbour impact
• Environmental factors
• Parking
• Noise
• Local authority policy
• Building use class
• External changes or refurbishments

Planning permission does not assess whether the property is a safe, suitable, or regulation-ready environment for children.

C2 Planning Permission Does Not Include:

• Ofsted’s safety expectations
• Environmental suitability for children with complex needs
• The wider location risk profile
• Safeguarding considerations
• Layout suitability for staff supervision
• Operational flow of the home
• Compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations
• Trauma-informed design
• Behaviour management considerations
• Security or boundary risks
• Proximity to risks (CCE, CSE, anti-social behaviour)

These are all areas Ofsted focus heavily on during registration — and planning does not touch them.

Fire Doors Installed? Still Not Enough.

Many landlords reassure tenants:

“It already has fire doors, so it’s ready for Ofsted.”

Fire doors are a tiny fraction of what Ofsted will assess.

Ofsted looks at:

• Layout
• Bedroom allocation
• Privacy
• Staff facilities
• Blind spots
• Safe access and egress
• Ability to supervise safely
• Location-based risks
• Hazards in and around the property

A home can have fire doors and still be completely unsuitable for:

• Solo placements
• Children with trauma
• Children at risk of exploitation
• High-risk behaviours
• ASD
• Emotional and behavioural needs

Fire doors ≠ Ofsted suitability.

What About Wider Location Risks?

This is another major gap.

Planning might assess things like:

• Traffic
• Noise
• Impact on neighbours

But Ofsted require a wider location risk assessment that considers:

• Police and crime statistics
• CCE and CSE indicators
• Known gang activity
• Transport links (good or bad)
• Proximity to risky locations
• Missing-from-care patterns
• Access routes to local hotspots
• Vulnerability factors
• The child’s safety in the community

If the landlord or previous provider completed this during planning and you have access to it, great — but this is rare. And even if you have it, it often needs updating and aligning to your Statement of Purpose, care model, and staffing.

If no location risk assessment exists, you should complete one before signing a long-term, high-rent lease.

Why You Should Assess the Property Before Committing

Renting a C2 property is a serious financial undertaking. For many providers, it becomes their biggest monthly cost.

Signing a lease before checking Ofsted suitability can lead to:

• Paying rent while the home can’t be registered
• Costly remedial work
• Inability to meet safety or staffing requirements
• Layout changes after contracts are signed
• Registration delays
• In some cases, needing to walk away entirely

A pre-lease assessment protects you from this risk.

🛠️ How Outsource 24 Helps

Before you commit, Outsource 24 can complete a full Ofsted-readiness property assessment, including:

• Safety review
• Layout suitability
• Environmental risks
• Wider location risk assessment
• Operational flow analysis
• Recommendations for improvements
• Guidance on décor, furniture and trauma-informed setup
• Advice based on your registration type and occupancy
• A clear risk report, written in professional regulatory language

We cannot guarantee Ofsted won’t ask questions — no one can — but we can identify risks early, advise on solutions, and help you make an informed decision before signing costly contracts.

Final Takeaway

A C2 property means the local authority has approved the use of the building.
It does not mean Ofsted has approved anything.

Before committing to a long-term lease, make sure the property is:

• Safe
• Suitable
• Regulation-aligned
• Aligned with your care model
• Realistically able to support your staffing and occupancy
• In a location that supports children’s safety and wellbeing

Outsource 24 can help you assess all of this — before you sign